The perfect bike for the school run

The front rack is ideal for transporting heavy school bags.

A front rack over a smaller front wheel is hands-down the best way to carry a backpack or sports kit to school. And when it's attached directly to the frame? Even better.

Unlike handlebar-mounted racks, having one that's integrated into the front of the frame provides much more stability and balance – including while cornering. It all comes down to the fact that the cargo stays put when your child steers.

Plus, a smaller front wheels means a lower position for the rack. And that brings a long list of benefits, as Raffael Sperl-Zimmel, Senior Product Manager at woom, explains:

Having a smaller front wheel and integrated front rack that doesn't affect steering (like on the woom NOW) results in a bike that rides smoothly, corners comfortably, and makes the school run safer.

Talking of safety...

To keep items secure while riding, it's sensible to use straps, which is why the woom NOW comes with its own elasticated strap, allowing riders to securely stow their bags within seconds.

For a fun ride to school, pick a lightweight bike

A lightweight bike means more fun and better control. The woom NOW is packed with useful features, but, thanks to its lightweight build, still weighs significantly less than other children's bikes with a similar setup. 

Our designers have made this possible through clever engineering matched with ultra-light materials and components. 

The frame is a perfect example – it's made from high-grade aluminum, which is extremely lightweight.

Good bike lights brighten dreary schooldays

It may well still be dark on the way to school during the autumn and winter months, which makes good lighting an essential feature of your child's bike.

But what makes good bike lights?

It's about seeing and being seen by other road users, so kids will need bright lights at the front and back that keep on shining even when they stop at traffic lights and crossings. Reflectors on the front, back, wheels, and pedals are also essential.

That's why the woom NOW comes with its own non-removable, powerful LED lights and all the necessary reflectors, of course.

Powered by a high-quality hub dynamo, the LED lights switch on as soon as the wheels start turning. No batteries, no forgetting to charge, no forgetting lights. Just instant visibility.

Riders even have the option to switch off the lights when the sun is bright enough to guide the way.

What's more, the woom NOW lights have a built-in standlight function that keeps them active while stationary. (Yep, even if your child stops pedaling and powering them with the dynamo, the front and rear lights will remain bright.)

Road legal: Equipped for everything

In some countries, your child's bike will legally need a bell, two separate brakes, a white front light and a red rear light if they're going to be cycling on the road.

Plus a white front reflector, a red rear reflector, reflectors on the pedals and reflectors or reflective strips on the wheels.

The woom NOW complies with the rules of the road that apply in lots of countries across Europe. With the reflectors built into the headlight and rear light, the chances are that you won't have to worry about adding more reflectors of your own. Familiarize yourself with the legislation in force in the country where your child rides.

But beyond legal requirements, some other features just make sense for a stress-free ride:

• Hydraulic disc brakes don't just look cool, they also make stopping easy without much effort. 
• Mudguards keep dirt and road spray at bay.
• A kickstand allows kids to park their bikes super quickly without having to find a prop to lean it against.
• The bike bell lets kids signal when necessary. 
• With a bike rack, kids have a safe spot to transport their school bags and everyday carry.

With all of these features as standard, plus an ergonomic saddle to boost comfort, the woom NOW makes every ride safer and more fun.

A safe setup: Meet the frame and build

Here's a brief overview of the woom NOW and its features:

• The innovative frame design of the woom NOW teams with the front rack and smaller front wheel to keep the weight of your child's cargo down low, which means confident handling while cruising. Your child will be sitting in an upright position, giving them a good view of whatever else is happening on the road around them.
• Loud and stylish, the super functional twist-grip bell is hidden on the handlebars and so easy to reach that your child literally doesn't have to lift a finger.
• The wide balloon tires provide natural cushioning, making it much comfier to ride over cobbles, tramlines or even just rough tarmac. Plus, built-in puncture resistance reduces the risk of sharp objects puncturing the rubber.
• Powerful disc brakes work effectively in all conditions (even in wet weather) and don't require super-human strength to function. This is especially important when riding the bike with luggage.

Always make an entrance with an aesthetic design

On the school run, bikes are so much more than just a way to get from A to B – they're a statement, a way for kids to show off their personality.

That's why we put so much thought into the design of the woom NOW.

With its fresh, clean aesthetic, seamlessly integrated features, confident silhouette, matte finish and black components, this bike has a cool, urban look.

It's no surprise that it has therefore already won multiple awards. Here are a few:

• German Innovation Award 2022
• Red Dot Award: Product Design 2022
• Design & Innovation Award 2022
• TAIPEI CYCLE d&i Award 2022
• Silver A' Design Award 2022
• Staatspreis Design Austria 2022 – Shortlist

Many kids care deeply about sustainability and protecting the planet.

Riding to school is one way to take action. They can use the customizable frame bag on the woom NOW to share what matters most.

The DIY message boards can be used for bold artwork, meaningful slogans, or a message from their heart.

An urban lifestyle bike is more than a cargo bike or city cruiser

The woom NOW introduces an entirely new category of bikes designed for children and teenagers – neither a city bike, nor a cargo bike, nor a city cruiser.

And that's exactly why the label urban lifestyle bike works so well.

Sure, the woom NOW is the ideal way for your child to get around town – especially if they have bags on board. But it's also a response to Generation Alpha's desire for individuality, freedom and a touch of rebellion. To them, the bike is not just a way to get around. Instead, it's an extension of their identity.

Young people born between 2010 and 2024 are classed as Generation Alpha.

The way this generation thinks and acts is partly shaped by megatrends like urbanization, health, climate change and sustainability.

Four good reasons to bike to school

1) Getting active on the way to school boosts health and performance

Cycling is a great form of cardio that gets your child's heart pumping and builds stamina. It strengthens muscles without putting unnecessary strain on joints.

Riding to school is not only a way to be active, but also actively helps kids stay focused and alert in class. And science backs it up! Plenty of studies show that active travel boosts concentration and attention.

2) Cycling to school is good for the environment

Cycling and walking are the most sustainable, low-impact choices in terms of emissions and space, followed by public transport.

Bikes play a huge role in making towns and cities healthier and safer places to live. Instilling a love for cycling in children and teenagers is an important part of shaping the future of urban mobility.

3) Giving your child more independence frees up the whole family

For some older children, riding to school independently can be a logical step if the conditions are right:

• They need to feel physically and mentally confident;
• They need a lightweight bike that's easy to handle and can safely carry their school bag;
• Their route to school should take them on safe paths that are ideally separated from the road.

Once a child is ready to ride to and from school on their own, it can be a game-changer for many families, leading to less stressful mornings, and more time to enjoy breakfast.

Check out this blog post to find out how best to prepare your child for riding on the roads, which hazards your child should be aware of and how kids perceive traffic.

4) Bikes instead of cars make the school run safer for everyone

Studies have revealed that the final stretch of the school run is the most dangerous due to the number of parents dropping kids off in cars. Fewer children getting a lift to school means fewer cars on the road. And the school run suddenly becomes so much safer.

Walking, cycling or scooting to school reduces morning traffic chaos outside the school gates, minimizing the risk of accidents.

Sources:

https://www.minimed.at/

https://www.kindersportmedizin.org

https://www.radlobby.at/gesetzeslage-kinder-und-radfahren

https://www.anwalt.de/rechtstipps/fahrraddiebstahl

https://www.bmk.gv.at/themen/mobilitaet/fuss_radverkehr

https://www.pro-velo.ch/de/themen/sicherheit-und-recht

https://www.adfc.de/artikel/mit-dem-rad-zur-schule

We did some serious research to make sure all the information in this blog post is correct. But things change, so we cannot guarantee that the content is fully accurate, complete, or up to date. It's your responsibility to check the current rules and regulations where you are.